First light was streaming through the window, but it did not seem to disturb him one whit for his breathing was deep and regular. Despite the fact he’d once boasted he did not sleep; his eyes were closed and he seemed dead to the world. Hastily, Mina turned her head to face front again. When had he climbed the stairs to the attic room, she pondered? She had not heard him, though she had not shoved the chair under the door as was her usual practice either. In truth, she had half-expected him after his words to her in the courtyard. We’ll try that again later, he’d said. But he had not woken her for another half-suffocating embrace. He had let her sleep on. He had not even joined her under the covers.
A sharp rap on the door startled her out of her thoughts and she sat up, dislodging Nye’s hold on her. To her surprise, he did not stir, but slept steadily on.
“Mrs. Nye?” It was Edna’s voice.
“One moment, Edna.” Mina slid from the bed and pattered across the room in her bed-socks. Drawing the door open, she found Edna looking harassed. The servant was dressed but, her mob cap sat awry on her head and she had not yet donned her apron to start work. “What is it, Edna?”
“I can’t find the master,” Edna hissed. “Only there’s a pair of Riding Officers downstairs who’s asking for his whereabouts most particular.” She wrung her hands. “What am I to do?”
Mina cleared her throat. “He’s abed, I’ll rouse him now and send him down to deal with it.”
Edna fell back a step. She could not have looked more astonished if Mina had announced he was sat on the roof. “Oh,” she said lamely when she was able to form words again.
“Tell them he will be down directly,” Mina said, shutting the door and turning to face Nye. He looked like he had rolled into the spot she had vacated, but still lay fully stretched out and slumbering. “Nye!” she called. No reaction. She walked over to the bed. “Will Nye!” Nothing.
Reaching out, she placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Nye, you must wake up.” When he did not react to that, she felt a sudden alarm. “Was he in some kind of drunken stupor?” Kneeling on the bed next to him, she took a firm hold of both shoulders and shook him vigorously. Finally, his eyes flew open and he stared up at her. “Nye!” she practically yelled in his face.
“What is it?” he mumbled; his eyes drifting shut again. “Come back to bed.”
“There are two Riding Officers downstairs who wish to speak to you,” she insisted loudly.
Again, his eyes blinked open and he stared up at her a moment. “Mina,” he said distinctly and why that made her heart beat louder in her breast, she had no notion.
“Yes?” she asked and watched as comprehension stole into his eyes.
He sat up suddenly, causing her to practically fall backward off the bed. “What the hell happened?” he asked belligerently, gazing around the room as though for someone to blame.
“What do you mean?” Mina asked, mystified. “You fell asleep, that’s all.”
He gave a snort, clambering off the bed. “I don’t sleep,” he corrected her.
She slipped off the bed and plunked her hands on her hips. “Well you do rather a good impression!” she told him tartly.
He scowled and then cast about the room, looking bewildered. “Where are my boots?”
Mina glanced down at the floor beside the bed. “There they are,” she said and pointed helpfully. “And that must be your waistcoat over the chair.” She wondered at his confused, helpless manner. He genuinely seemed befuddled and she wondered if he’d spent a heavy night drinking.
After a moment, he sat abruptly in the chair and pulled on his boots.
“Why would there be officers here at The Merry Harlot?” she asked him and was pointedly ignored.
“Put some clothes on,” he said giving her a hard stare and Mina glanced down at her voluminous white cotton nightgown.
“I will, once you’ve gone,” she answered briskly. He could hardly expect her to start stripping off with him there.
He huffed at that, stood up, crossed the room and exited it with a slam of the door. Mina pursed her lips and started thoughtfully to dress. She lingered over arranging her hair into a tidy roll which she pinned at her nape. Then she descended the stairs and disappeared into the scullery for her wash. She fancied she heard voices as she crossed the hall, and on entering the kitchen, she found Edna there waiting for her with anxious eyes.
“I’ve made the tea tray up to bring in to you,” she said turning around. Mina opened her mouth to thank her, though she really did not think it necessary to take her morning beverage in the parlor, when she noticed four cups set out on the tray. “They’re in the parlor now,” Edna said, seeing the direction of her gaze.
“The Riding Officers?” Mina asked with surprise.
Edna nodded her head. “Will I carry it in before you?” she asked unhappily.
Mina thought a moment. “I’ll open the door for you,” she said with decision.
She gave the parlor door a swift knock and flung it
